Body stages Stage 5 of 11
24–36 h
Glycogen largely spent
Most of the liver's stored sugar has been used. The body now makes almost all its glucose fresh, mainly from fat-derived glycerol and amino acids.
What studies measured
Gluconeogenesis supplies 82% of glucose; liver glycogen near exhausted.
How it may feel
Hunger is often quieter than on day one.
What to do
Two to three litres of fluid a day to thirst, with sodium. Sleep early.
Sources
- Rothman 1991Quantitation of hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in fasting humans with 13C NMR. Science, 1991.
- Nilsson and Hultman 1973Liver glycogen in man--the effect of total starvation or a carbohydrate-poor diet followed by carbohydrate refeeding. Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 1973.
- Owen 1998Protein, fat, and carbohydrate requirements during starvation: anaplerosis and cataplerosis. Am J Clin Nutr, 1998.
What studies measured in healthy adults, not a reading of your own body. Stop and seek help if you feel unwell; the signs to stop for are listed under Stop signs on the safety page.